“Maybe Militarization of the Police is Something to Worry About” was Sunday’s cartoon caption featuring a parking enforcement tank with a combat gear clad gunner sticking out of the turret aiming an assault rifle at two citizens.

This caption hits too close to home.

Are you aware that Redlands has been militarizing its police department with a transfer of surplus military equipment via Pentagon Program 1033?

Myself and others have written letters to the editor concerned about the militarization of the Redlands Police Department.

The city had the audacity to unveil the MRAP on the 25th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre where violence silenced pro-democracy protestors asking for government accountability and freedom of the press.

Was this a harbinger for Redlands?

Furthermore, the Redlands police have taken the liberty to conduct carte blanche drills on our public school campuses.

As citizens we have been met with intimidation tactics as police don military style vest or line city council halls on days of controversial agenda items.

Are you concerned yet?

Our city council has signaled approval of police militarization in Redlands.

Our mayor, Pete Aguilar, is running for Congress; his silence shows support of police militarization.

Councilman Bob Gardner thinks “militarization is overstated as far as Redlands is concerned.”

Pat Gilbreath “can’t see militarization.”

The surplus military items Redlands received were a transfer of property from the Department of Defense. The local police cannot sell, lease, exchange, barter or stockpile items. This transfer of military supplies from federal to local police demonstrates police militarization.

If this doesn’t frighten you it should.

On Aug. 15, the New York Times had a map that showed since 2006, 208 Night Vision pieces, 114 assault rifles, four helicopters, one armored vehicle and one plane have been distributed in San Bernardino County.

In other counties, police received body armor including vests and helmets as well as grenade launchers.

Do you feel any safer?

What did Redlands receive besides the MRAP?

Where is the public disclosure, discussion and accountability?

Recent events in Ferguson, Mo., and the Ukraine demonstrate how militarized police escalate tensions and violence. Seattle’s former police chief was quoted in a Los Angeles paper saying, “The militarization of local police forces is a problem of massive proportions.”

Calls to demilitarize police departments such as Redlands are coming from all corners of the country.

Tell the City Council, the Redlands Police Department and Congressional Representatives that you don’t want militarized police in our community.